Weltge said ringworm, a fungal skin infection, was found in a few animals last week, and shelter policy is to close as a precaution when infections are found.
He said there are no current cases of ringworm among the shelter’s animals, but the shelter will remain closed a few more days to make sure no new infections turn up.
Animal Resource Center veterinary technician Melinda Jonker said ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the skin of animals. It can be passed from one animal to another by touch, and it can also be passed from animals to humans.
In humans, the infection shows up as a ring shaped rash with bumps inside the ring. Jonker said the infection is rarely fatal unless a pet has other serious health problems, and in humans it’s mostly an itchy nuisance.
Mick Sagester, operations manager of the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center said a shelter environment where vaccinated animals come into close contact with unvaccinated strays can be ripe for the spread of infections. “No matter how much cleaning you do, occasionally you’re going to get situations like this,” he said.
Separately, Sagester said there has been an unusually high number of parvovirus cases in the area, and he warned puppy owners to be sure to have their pets vaccinated to protect them from the potentially deadly infection.
“What we’ve noticed is that parvo has been affecting some older puppies and even some adult dogs, and that’s unusual,” Sagester said.
Jonker said parvovirus, which has been unusually prevalent this summer, is passed from one dog to another when a dog touches the fecal matter of another animal. It can also be passed if an owner touches an infected animal and then touches their own pet.
The disease mostly affects puppies whose immune systems have not matured. Symptoms start with vomiting and progress to severe, bloody diarrhea. In extreme cases, pets can die from dehydration.
“You should get your puppies vaccinated as early in their life as possible,” Jonker said. “Don’t take young puppies to parks and playgrounds where other dogs have been and keep them out of pet stores. Bleach their toys and wash your hands.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2395 or jcummings@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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